International student and scholar services presents a workshop immigration regulations for international students on F-1 and J-1 visas Effective September 1, 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). The following information specifically addresses fee issues for F-1 students.
Who pays the SEVIS fee?
- Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for an “initial ” F-1 visa from outside the US
- Prospective students with "initial attendance" I-20s dated on or after 9/1/2004 who are applying for a change to F-1 status from another visa category
- Current F-1 students in the US filing for reinstatement after being out of status more than 5 months, and who are issued an I-20 issued for reinstatement that is dated on or after 9/1/04
No, unless the student’s circumstances change so that he or she fits one of the categories mentioned above.
What about my F-2 dependents?
F-2 dependents do not have to pay the fee, even if the I-20 that the F-2 dependents use is issued on or after 9/1/2004
Do I have to pay if I transfer to another school, travel outside the US or renew my visa?
The SEVIS fee is not required when transferring schools, changing to another degree program or level, requesting a program extension, renewing an F-1 visa or using F-1 program benefits such as practical training. If you are in status when you travel internationally and are not physically outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will not be required to pay the fee.
When do I pay the SEVIS fee?
The fee must be paid at least 3 business days prior to applying for your visa, or applying for admission at a US port-of-entry for those exempt from the visa requirement. The fee must be paid prior to submission of a change of status petition or reinstatement application.
Can I pay the SEVIS fee at a university, consulate or port of entry?
No. At this time the SEVIS fee can only be processed by the Department of Homeland Security via mail or the Internet.
How do I pay the fee?
The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied by a Form I-901. It can be paid by you or by a third party, inside or outside the US.
To Pay By Mail
- Obtain a Form I-901 "Fee Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Nonimmigrants."
- Download the form from http://www.FMJfee.com/
- Request the form by phone at 1-800-870-3676 (inside the US).
- Complete the Form I-901. Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- Prepare a check, international money order or foreign draft (drawn on US banks only1) in the amount of $100 USD, made payable to "The Department of Homeland Security".
- Mail the completed I-901 and payment to the address listed on Form I-901).
- A Form I-797 receipt notice should be mailed within 3 days of processing the fee. Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
- Find the Form I-901 at http://www.FMJfee.com
- Complete the form online and supply the necessary Visa, MasterCard or American Express information. *Be sure to write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 form.
- Print a copy of the online receipt.
- Be sure to make copies of your receipt, and keep it with your other important immigration documents.
Will the DHS keep a record of my payment on file?
Fee payments should be entered into your permanent immigration (SEVIS) record but it is strongly recommended that you retain a copy of your fee receipt (form I-797) to use as needed.
I applied to more than one school, and have more than one I-20 form. What happens if I pay the SEVIS fee for one school, and then I change my mind and decide that I want to attend the other school? Is my paid SEVIS fee transferable?
Yes. But you must submit the I-20 form with the SEVIS ID number that you listed on the I-901 form with you to the U.S. consulate/embassy. For change of status or reinstatement applications, please see next question.
What do I need to do to apply for an F-1 visa, change of status or reinstatement?
- Obtain the appropriate Form I-20 from a DHS-approved school.
- Pay the SEVIS fee by mail or online.
- Make a copy of the I-797 (mail) or computer receipt (online) for your records.
- Submit a copy of the I-797 or computer receipt with your visa, change of status or reinstatement application OR
- Students who are exempt from visa requirements, such as Canadians, should take a copy of the SEVIS fee receipt to present at the port of entry with the appropriate I-20. It will not be possible to pay the fee at the port of entry.
- For change of status or reinstatement applications, if you previously paid the SEVIS fee while attending a different school, you should submit a copy of that school’s I-20 form with your application.
For more information regarding the new SEVIS fee requirement or other visa-related matters, visit the NAFSA - Sevis Fee for F-1 Students site at http://www.nafsa.org/.
Helpful Links:
U.S Embassies Abroad
http://www.usembassy.state.gov/
New USICE Special Registration Regulations
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/index.htm
DHS Special Notice
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1301.html
Special Visa Processing
For Citizens of North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, & Libya
Visa Process Guide
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/pdfs/gettingavisa.02.03.pdf
Visas for Third Country Nationals in Canada or Mexico
http://travel.state.gov/visa/
Fees for Visa Services
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html
Visa Photo Requirements
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html
Visa Denials
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html
U.S. VISIT
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml
Airport Security - Web videos in various languages
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0435.xml
Airport Status
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
What to expect upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_exchng_fs.htm
1Many foreign banks are able to issue checks or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. You may therefore obtain a check from: 1) a bank chartered or operated in the United States; b) a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. bank, or c) a foreign bank that has an arrangement with a U.S. bank to issue a check, money order, or foreign draft that is drawn on a U.S. bank
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